"Container" gardening?

HurdyGurdy

I have never attempted to grow anything. Never. But I really fancy having a go at some easy stuff next year.

I have arthritis, so bending down weeding etc, isn't practicable, so I was thinking about attempting growing some bits in planters.

I'd like to try some easy foods - I was thinking salad type stuff (I don't even know if these *are* easy to grow!) and maybe some soft fruits.

Does this sound feasible? If so, can anyone tell me what preparation I need to do over the winter - i.e. what are the best types of planters/tubs/pots to look for, and what kind of equipment, including the composty stuff, so get. Can I even buy compost in advance, or does it "go off"? When do I buy seeds - or should I start off with plants and see how it goes? Do I need a greenhouse, and if so, would one of those polythene ones do, or would it have to be a glass one?

Or if you can recommend a website "Growing for Dummies" style, that would be fab.

Quite excited about the prospect of a mini Good Life experience. If only I had Felicity Kendall's bottom to go with it :rotfl:

Sambucus_Nigra

If you come over to the Vine - there are a few who grow only in pots, tubs and dustbins...they would be more than happy to advise.

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapevine/forum.php

HurdyGurdy

Excellent - thank you

Leif

Salad items such as rocket and lettuce are easy to grow. Tomatoes and chillis are easy but require germination in a warm environment, and protection from frost until you can put them out. It might be easiest for you to pick those up from a garden centre, and plant out yourself. Mange tout is easy, not sure what depth soil you need.

My late mother was disabled so I got her some self watering planters, which she put in her 'conservatory', basically a sunny frost free area, where she could grow tomatoes and greens. You can also grow herbs, such as mint and basil. Courgettes are easy peasy, but not frost hardy. Larger containers are easier as they do not dry out so fast.

Isn't there something about tomatoes being bad for arthritis? Or have I got it the wrong way round?

A._Badger

If you want a quick, no-nonsense guide from somene who actually knows what he is talking about (as opposed to being a BBC TV presenter) I can highly recommend this book http://www.allotment.org.uk/shop/our-books/growing-in-small-places

poorly_scammo

I grow mostly in containers and my tips are:

• Not all composts are the same in terms of standard (applies to non-container growers). I've been using Erin because my garden centre has a 3 for £10 offer. Currently using a peat compost as the gc had run out of the usual (didn't know it was peat, honest. )

• You ought to go for cultivars of veg which say on the packet things like: suitable for container growing, close spacing, etc.

• You do have to water container stuff regularly even if it rains.

• Make sure you drill enough drainage holes.

• I have been feeding my veg with tomato food to give them a boost recently. Don't do it too often though.

• As for the containers themselves: dustbins, cut down water butts, buckets etc work well. You don;t have to spend a fortune on containers. Good place to buy them though are Wilkos, B&M bargains, Poundstretcher and Ugo. Just remember the drainage holes.

• Container growing is good for confusing pests too, I've found as the mixtures of plants confuse the pests rather than growing one lot of stuff in one place.

Oh and John Harrison is the man. I have one of his books and use his website: John Harrison's Website - Veg

teapackets

Hiya,

I read somewhere recently (Which I think) that compost quality does reduce and not to buy up stuff from small garden centres that looks like its been there from last year.

I acquired loads of large cheap plastic planters from my Mum and have successfully grown runner beans, carrots, courgettes, spring onions, onions and tomatoes. I've attempted baby sweetcorn this year and am just waiting to harvest. :T

It's great fun to go out and pick enough for dinner .... although when I had a go at dwarf broad beans last year, we had two beans each at one meal!!! :rotfl: